HUNTINGDON Stags edged closer to their almost inevitable relegation as they were swept aside by league leaders Old Northamptonians at Hinchingbrooke. The visitors had won all 18 of their games, so any result was a tall order for a Huntingdon side that h

HUNTINGDON Stags edged closer to their almost inevitable relegation as they were swept aside by league leaders Old Northamptonians at Hinchingbrooke.

The visitors had won all 18 of their games, so any result was a tall order for a Huntingdon side that had won just three and lost 15 of theirs.

Stags started badly and conceded a penalty after two minutes, which was promptly converted by the Northampton side. The hosts were punished further when some poor defending saw the visitors break the line for their first of six tries.

Elliot Baldwin missed a penalty as Stags tried to get back into the game and conceded another try that was converted. The hosts attacked with Tom McCreadie and Ben Strangeways pushing forward, but they failed to cross the try line to score. Old Northamptonians then broke away to score and go in 24-0 ahead at the interval.

The visitors started the second half looking to extend their lead, and were too good for Stags as they added another converted try to put the game out of sight. Stags continued to waste chances with another missed penalty as Old Northamptonians scored yet another converted try.

Stags were a defeated team as the visitors converted their sixth try of the game, but they still refused to give up. Charlie Cook finally crossed the line for a consolation try but the hosts were already soundly beaten.

Huntingdon Stags lie at the bottom of the Midlands Three East (South) table. They are four points adrift of safety with just four games remaining and have the worst points-scored difference in the league, with their -323 being 61 points worse than Northampton BBOB one place above them. They next play at Leicester Forest on March 28.